[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 109 (Thursday, June 27, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4633-S4634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Schatz, Mr. 
        Durbin, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Tillis, Mr. Kaine, Ms. Ernst, and 
        Mr. Cramer):
  S. 2032. A bill to expand research on the cannabidiol and marihuana; 
to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the 
Cannabidiol and Marijuana Research Expansion Act with my colleagues.
  Anecdotal evidence suggests that marijuana and its derivatives, like 
cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, may be helpful in treating serious 
medical conditions. However, anecdotal evidence alone cannot be the 
basis for developing new medications. Rather, medication development 
must be based on science.
  Unfortunately, marijuana research is subject to burdensome 
regulations which may unintentionally inhibit research and medication 
development.
  The Cannabidiol and Marijuana Research Expansion Act will reduce 
these barriers without sacrificing security or enabling diversion. It 
will ensure that marijuana-derived medications are developed using 
strong scientific evidence, and provide a pathway for the manufacture 
and distribution of FDA-approved drugs that are based on this research.
  First, the bill streamlines the regulatory process for marijuana 
research. Specifically, it requires the Drug Enforcement Administration 
(DEA) to quickly approve or deny applications to research CBD or 
marijuana and establishes a process by which applicants may submit 
supplemental information, if necessary.

[[Page S4634]]

  It also improves regulations dealing with changes to approved 
quantities of marijuana needed for research and approved research 
protocols. These improvements will eliminate lengthy delays that 
researchers encounter under current regulations.
  Second, this legislation seeks to increase medical research on CBD.
  It does so by explicitly authorizing medical and osteopathic schools, 
research universities, practitioners and pharmaceutical companies to 
produce the marijuana they need for approved medical research. This 
will ensure that researchers have access to the material they need to 
develop proven, effective medicines. Once the FDA approves these 
medications, pharmaceutical companies are permitted to manufacture and 
distribute them.
  Third, the bill fosters increased communication between doctors and 
patients.
  Because it is a Schedule I drug, some doctors are hesitant to talk to 
their patients about the potential harms and benefits of using 
marijuana, CBD, or other marijuana derivatives as a treatment, for fear 
that they will lose their DEA registrations. Yet, if patients are using 
marijuana or its derivatives without their doctors' knowledge, it could 
impact the effectiveness of the care they receive. That is why our bill 
authorizes these discussions to occur.
  Finally, because existing Federal research is lacking, the bill 
directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to expand and 
coordinate research to determine the potential medical benefits of CBD 
or other marijuana-derived medications on serious medical conditions.
  I have heard from many parents who have turned to CBD as a last 
resort to treat their children who have intractable epilepsy. 
Anecdotally, CBD has produced positive results. I have heard similar 
stories from people who use marijuana to treat various other medical 
conditions.
  But a common concern echoed in many of these conversations is that 
there is a lack of understanding about the proper delivery mechanism, 
dosing, or potential interactions that CBD or marijuana may have with 
other medications. Some also worry because these products aren't well 
regulated or factory sealed, and often are labeled incorrectly.
  Without additional research, our ability to adequately address these 
concerns is limited and uninformed.
  The need for additional research, along with the need to increase the 
supply of CBD and marijuana for research purposes, was highlighted in 
the National Academy of Sciences report, titled ``The Health Effects of 
Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and 
Recommendations for Research.''
  I firmly believe that we should reduce the regulatory barriers 
associated with researching marijuana and CBD. If and when science 
shows that these substances are effective in treating serious medical 
illnesses, we should enable products to be brought to the market with 
FDA approval. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this 
important piece of legislation.
  Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor.
                                 ______